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From Essex England to the Sunny Southern USA

by: Robert R. Harris

 

APPENDIX      I

ADDENDUM

Pages 944-961

PREVIOUS

 

Pages  934-943  
 

Note: A word of caution, from D.Williams, NCGenWeb Project. While this book remains a good source of information for many HARRIS lines, some of the earliest lines have been proven to be incorrect by newer research. As with any source used in research, it is advised that you use multiple sources to prove the veracity of any info found in a book, since errors can be made at any point in time.  

 

This is in continuation of the families of Martha Harris and Elizabeth Harris, daughters of Jane Egerton and Joseph Harris, d125/5, from page 197 of the text.

______________________

d125     MARTHA HARRIS; d. 1797.

53

Martha was born in Warren County, North Carolina. Martha married Moses Lancaster on December 7, 1779 in Warren County. They lived in Warren County. Moses preceeded Martha in death. Martha signed her will on November 6, 1797. The will was probated the same year. All of their children were minors at the time of her death.

Their children:

1.       Abel Lancaster.

2.       Clary Lancaster.

3.       Jean Lancaster.

4.       William Lancaster.

5.       Harris Lancaster.

_______________________________

d125     ELIZABETH (ELIZA) HARRIS; b. February 10, 1764.

54

Elizabeth was born in Bute (now Warren) County, North Carolina. Elizabeth married Hardaway Duke on October 30, 1787 in Warren County. Hardy was the son of Mary (d. 1789) and Joseph Duke (d. 1779) of Bute County, North Carolina. Hardy was born about 1764.

Elizabeth and Hardy lived, at first, in Warren County. Under his mother's will, Hardy inherited land on Opossum Creek in 1789. Hardy sold this land on November 7, 1795. Afterwards, he followed his brothers and moved his family to Greene County, Georgia. Hardy, in the Georgia land lottery of 1807, acquired some land in Baldwin County, Georgia. This land became a part of Jasper County, when it was created on December 10, 1812. Elizabeth and Hardy also lived in Irwin County, Georgia. Family members believe that they died there.

Their children:

1.       Frederick Duke; b. September 29, 1788.

      Frederick was born in Warren County, North Carolina. He married Lurany

      Boyd on May 11, 1811 in Baldwin (now Jasper) County, Georgia.

2.       Joseph Duke; b. November 28, 1790; d. August 15, 1853.

      Joseph was born in Warren County, North Carolina. He married Margaret Lewis on December 8, 1818 in Morgan County, Georgia. Joseph died in Henry County, Georgia. He is buried in the cemetery of Turner's Methodist Church.

3.       Mary (Polly) Duke; b. February 28, 1793; d. September 5, 1869.

4.       Sherwood Duke; b. January 8, 1796.

5.       Jane Duke; b. August 27, 1798.

      Jane was born in Georgia. She married Squire Lyons on January 20, 1826 in Henry County, Georgia. Jane died in Thomas County, Georgia.

6.       Robert Duke; b. January 22, 1802; d. August 2, 1807.

      Robert was born and died in Georgia.

7.       Alsa Duke; b. November 8, 1804; d. September 21, 1836.

      Alsa was born and died in Georgia.

8.       Green Harris Duke; b. September 12, 1807.

            Harris was born in Georgia.

Note: This record of the family of Elizabeth Harris and Hardaway Duke was taken from a document dated September 30, 1832. That document was found in a trunk stored in Texas, which had been the property of the Lewis family which is described herein. These and the other records of this Lewis family were furnished to the writer by Mrs. Fayetta A. Elston Longwell of Annapolis, Maryland, who is a member of this family.

_________________________

d125     MARY (POLLY) DUKE; b. FEBRUARY 28, 1793; d. SEPTEMBER 5, 1869.

543

Mary was born in Warren County, North Carolina and moved, as a small child, with her parents to Georgia about 1797.

Mary married Thomas Lewis on July 31, 1812 in Baldwin (now Jasper) County, Georgia. Thomas was born on June 12, 1788 in Rockingham County, North Carolina. He was the son of Catharine Strader and Peter Lewis. Catharine Strader was born on November 23, 1764, the daughter of Margaret and Conrad Strader. Peter, the son of Thomas Lewis, was born on April 13, 1750 and died on June 2, 1829. Peter and Catharine were married on September 10, 1782. Peter and Catharine had moved their family from North Carolina to Greenbrier Creek in Georgia about 1800.

Thomas and Mary lived in Morgan County, Georgia. Thomas and Mary Duke Lewis, his father and brothers, moved to Henry County, Georgia shortly after it was created on May 15, 1821. By 1840, Thomas and Mary were living in Butts County, which was created from Henry and Monroe Counties on December 24, 1825.

Mary died in Butts County. Thomas died on August 31, 1878 in Clayton County, Georgia, where he was living with his daughter, Mary Lewis Burdett. They are buried in unmarked graves in Towaliga Cemetery near Jackson in Butts County.

Their children:

1.               William Jefferson Lewis; b. February 18, 1814; d. September 24, 1854.

2.               Elizabeth Harris Lewis; b. December 9, 1815; d. July 13, 1894. Elizabeth was born in Morgan County, Georgia. She married William F. Shirey on January 2, 1844 in Butts County, Georgia. William was born in 1810 in South Carolina. He was the son of William and A. Shirey.

      William and Elizabeth moved to Marshall County, Alabama. Elizabeth died in Albertville, Alabama. There were no children of this union.

3.               Catherine Jane Margaret Lewis; b. April 14, 1818.

      Jane was born in Morgan County, Georgia. She married a widower, George Hammond Washington on March 16, 1847 in Butts County, Georgia. George was born on July 22, 1796 and died on December 18, 1858. George is buried in Towaliga Cemetery near Jackson, Georgia. There were no children of this union.

      After the death of George, Jane married again.

4.   Epps Duke Lewis; b. July 16, 1820.

      Epps was born in Morgan County, Georgia. He married Ann about

      1846. Epps and Ann were living in Benton (now Calhoun) County, Alabama in 1850, where he was farming.

5.   Sarah Ann Lewis; b. May 6, 1822; d. May 19, 1895.

      Sarah was born in Morgan County, Georgia. She married Barney Lassiter on January 25, 1844. Sarah and Barney lived at Pavo in Thomas County, Georgia. Barney died on November 28, 1896 at Pavo. Sarah also died at Pavo.

Their Children:

a.       Martha Ann Lassiter.

b.       Thomas Lassiter.

c.       Elizabeth Lassiter.

d.       Mary S. Lassiter.

e.       Josephine Lassiter.

6.   Hardy Runnels Lewis; b. April 21, 1824; d. before 1845.

      Hardy was born in Henry County, Georgia.

7.   Sarilda Caroline Lewis; b. March 19, 1826; d. 1878.

      Caroline was born in Henry County, Georgia. She lived with her brother, Jesse C. Lewis in Thomas County, Georgia. She also lived with her aunt, Sarilda Caroline Lewis (for whom she was named), the wife of John P. Lyons. Caroline moved, with the Lyons family, to Freestone County, Texas before 1870.

      After the death of her aunt, Caroline married John P. Lyons in 1872. Caroline died in Freestone County, Texas.

8.   Susan Elvira Lewis; b. February 11, 1828; d. March 26, 1911.

      Susan was born in Henry County, Georgia. She married Newman Shirey on December 20, 1849. Newman was born in 1812 in South Carolina. He was the son of William and A. Shirey.

      Newman and Susan moved to Marshall County, Alabama. Susan died in Albertville, Alabama.

Their children:

a.       William Thomas Shirey.

b.       John Nicholas Shirey.

c.       Joseph Washington Shirey.

d.       Mary Louise Shirey.

e.       Susan Elizabeth Shirey.

f.     Thomas Shirey.

g.       William James Shirey.

h.       Martha Jane Katherine Shirey.

i.  Newman Gales Shirey.

j.  Epps Lewis Shirey.

k.       Peter Early Shirey.

9.   John Thomas Lewis; b. March 24, 1830; d. October 21, 1836.

      John was born in Henry County, Georgia.

A.     Jesse Camel Lewis; b. May 19, 1832.

      Jesse was born in Henry County, Georgia. He served as a Confederate soldier in the war between the states.

      Jesse married Emily P. Head on November 23, 1853 in Henry County, Georgia. They lived near Thomasville in Thomas County, Georgia.

B.   Joseph Green Lewis; b. March 28, 1834. Joseph was born in Henry County, Georgia. He served as a Confederate soldier in the war between the states. Joseph married Nancy Carroll on September 19, 1867 in Henry County.

C.     Mary Angeline Lewis; b. May 2, 1836; d. February 10, 1908.

      Angeline was born in Butts County, Georgia. She married a widower, Presley Burdett on January 19, 1858 in Georgia. Presley was the son of Nancy Clark and Henry Burdett.

      Angeline and Presley lived and farmed in the Cabin District of Spalding County, Georgia. Presley died there in 1867. Angeline, in the 1880's, moved to Texas with her two grown sons. Angeline died in Austin, Travis County, Texas.

 

_______________________________

d125     WILLIAM JEFFERSON LEWIS; b. February 18, 1814, d. September 24, 1854. 5431

5431

William was born in Morgan County, Georgia. He moved with his family to Henry and Butts Counties in Georgia. William married Sarah Jane Johnson on September 15, 1838 in Georgia. Sarah was born on May 18, 1819. William and Sarah lived at Indian Springs in Butts County, Georgia, where he operated a blacksmith shop and was active in buying and selling land. William was a Baptist. William died at Indian Springs at the age of 40.

After the death of William, Sarah lived for a while with William's parents. She married William Hoard on February 8, 1866. Her new husband was her elder by 37 Years. After his death in 1871, Sarah moved to Freestone County, Texas and lived with her son, Augustus Henry Lewis. She died there on November 24, 1891.

Their children:

1.               William Dawson Lewis; b. January 5, 1840; d. June 12, 1840. William was born in Butts County, Georgia.

2.               Augustus Henry Lewis; b. June 17, 1842; d. November 19, 1922.

3.               Mary Catherine Lewis; b. June 24, 1845; d. February 1916.

      Mary Catherine was born in Butts County, Georgia. She married William H. Gardner on January 14, 1869 in Butts County. They moved to Freestone County, Texas, where they died. They are buried there in St. Elmo Cemetery.

4.               Thomas Johnson Lewis; b. June 16, 1848; d. October 3, 1864. Thomas was born at Indian Springs in Butts County.

5.               James Saunders Lewis; b. July 14, 1851; d. February 9, 1935. James was born at Indian Springs in Butts County. James did not marry. He died at Navarro, Texas. He is buried in St. Elmo Cemetery, Freestone County, Texas.

6.               Elizabeth Ann Lewis; b. August 24, 1854; d. September 5, 1854. Elizabeth was born at Indian Springs in Butts County.

_____________________________

d125     AUGUSTUS HENRY LEWIS; b. JUNE 17,1842; d. NOVEMBER 19, 1922.

5431

2

Augustus was born in Griffin, Spalding County, Georgia. Just after his 19th birthday, on September 25, 1861, Augustus enlisted in Company A of Colonel Bailey's Volunteers, 30th Georgia Infantry Regiment, Confederate Army. His enlistment was for a period of 12 months, but it was to be 4 years before his service was over and he could return to his home.

During the second battle of Jackson, Mississippi, Augustus was shot in his left knee and suffered from gangrene. He recovered to serve in the Army of Tennessee. He signed his parole papers in Washington, Georgia on June 2, 1865 and returned to his home on the train.

After farming his grandfather's land, Augustus moved to Freestone County, Texas where other family members were living. He spent the remaining years of his life there.

Augustus married Mary Ann Hill Baron on December 24, 1878 in Freestone County. Molly was born on March 21, 1853 in Alabama. She was the daughter of Anna D. Williams and John Hill. Molly was a member of New Hope Baptist Church.

Augustus and Molly lived at Winkler in Freestone County. Molly died on June 2, 1892. They are buried in St. Elmo Cemetery at Winkler, Texas.

After the death of Molly, Augustus married Martha Jane Gardner Rooney on December 8, 1896. Martha was the sister of Ted Gardner, Augustus' brother in law. Augustus and Martha had no children.

Children of Molly and Augustus Lewis:

1.               Louisa Beatrice Lewis; b. August 26, 1880; d. October 5, 1882. Louise is buried in St. Elmo Cemetery.

2.               Mamie Lewis; b. July 19, 1882; d. July 13, 1970.

      Mamie was born at Winkler, Texas. She is buried in St. Elmo Cemetery. Mamie married Lucius Rouse on December 25, 1900.

3.               Eugene Lewis (twin); b. May 31, 1884; d. May 18, 1966.

      Eugene was born at Winkler. He is buried in St. Elmo Cemetery. Eugene married Jessie Ward on February 8, 1908 at Winkler.

4.               Irene Lewis (twin); b. May 31, 1884; d. October 31, 1973.

5.               Annie Lewis; b. April 20, 1886; d. July 20, 1987.

      Annie was born at Winkler. She married Cliff Rouse. She died in Houston, Texas.

6.               John T. Lewis; b. January 21, 1888; d. 1969.

      John was born at Winkler. He married Ida Vinson. John died in Freestone County, Texas.

7.               Jessie Mary Lewis; b. December 14, 1889; d. April 11, 1982. Jessie was born at Winkler. She is buried in St. Elmo Cemetery. Jesse married J. P. Robinson on January 16, 1908.

8.               William James Lewis; b. April 2, 1892; d. June 28, 1979.

      William was born at Winkler. He is buried in St. Elmo Cemetery. William married Laura Knowles on November 28, 1915.

__________________

d125     IRENE LEWIS; b. MAY 31, 1884; d. OCTOBER 31, 1973.

5431

24

Irene was born on her father's farm at Winkler, Freestone County, Texas. Irene married Paul David Duncan on December 25, 1906 at Winkler, Texas. Paul, the son of Mary Ellen Hanks and James John Duncan, was born on November 12, 1880 in Navarro County, Texas.

Paul had moved his mother and his younger sisters and brothers to Amber, Grady County, in the Oklahoma Territory. He moved his bride to the same location. They lived there until 1922 when they moved to the nearby county seat town, Chickasha.

David was a carpenter. He died on May 21, 1963. They are buried in Rose Hill Cemetery in Chickasha.

Their children:

1.            Lewis Duncan; b. August 28, 1908.

      Lewis was born at Amber. He married Dora Warren on January 28, 1928 at Lawton, Comanche County, Oklahoma.

      Later, Lewis married Doris Bierman Crull.

2.            Mary Alice Duncan; b. August 15, 1911.

      Mary Alice was born on her grandfather's farm at Winkler, Freestone County, Texas. She married Frank James Elston on January 29, 1929 at Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma. Frank, the son of Rosetta Elizabeth Kelly and William David Elston, was born on September 4, 1910 at Chickasha, Oklahoma. He was a brickmason and a farmer. They made their home at Chickasha. Frank died on August 10, 1975. He is buried in Rose Hill Cemetery at Chickasha.

      Their Children:

a.   Fayetta Alice Elston; b. October 19, 1929.

b.   Barbara Joy Elston; b. January 1, 1933.

           (plus 3 others born after this dated)

3.       Annie Ruth Duncan; b. August 13, 1913.

      Annie Ruth was born at Amber. She married Marvin Brooks on May 12, 1929.

4.       Ira Bartlett Duncan; b. April 17, 1919; d. January 9, 1991. Ira was born at Amber. She married Verna Tyborski on May 6, 1939 at Marlin, Falls County, Texas.

      Later, Ira married again. She died at Odessa, Pasco County, Texas. She is buried in Hillsboro Memorial Park at Brandon.

5.       Naomi Irene Duncan; b. November 10, 1923; d. June 6, 1992. Naomi was born at Chickasha, Oklahoma. She married A. R. Patrick on June 8, 1942. Naomi died at Selma, California.

____________________________

d125     PAYETTA ALICE ELSTON; b. OCTOBER 19, 1929. 5431

2421

Fayetta was born in Chickasha, Oklahoma. She was educated in the local schools and graduated from Oklahoma College for women in 1950. After a year of graduate school at Oklahoma State University, she took a job at the Chesapeake Biological Lab in Solomons, Maryland.

Fayetta married John Raymond Longwell on October 16, 1951 at Lancaster, Pennsylvania. John, the son of Ruth Fultz and Raymond Longwell, was born on September 16, 1924 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

John served his country in World War II as a soldier in the 10th Mountain Division. After the war, John attended Penn State University and received degrees in Forestry and Wild Life Nanagement. John died on April 24, 1982.

Fayetta lives in Anapolis, Maryland.

 

TIES BETWEEN THE HARRIS, SLEDGE AND CLARE (CLARK) FAMILIES

 

These ties involve the descendants of Thomas Harris (1636-1688) (d12) and his wife, Ann Martin; the descendants of Richard Sledge (born about 1610) and his wife Ann Sledge; and the descendants of Robert and   Clarke (Clark).

 

The following is Sledge lineage showing connections with Clarke and Harris families:

________________

S.   Richard Sledge; b. c. 1610.

      Richard married Ann ______ . They lived in Surry County, Virginia.

      Their son:

      S1.             Charles Sledge; b. c. 1660; d. c. 1725.

Charles married Mary Clarke, the daughter of Robert Clarke. Mary's will was probated in Surry County, Virginia in 1728. Charles signed his will on November 3, 1725. The will was probated on February 16, 1726 in Surry County.

            Their children:

1.       Judith Sledge. Judith married John Ellison.

2.    Rebecca Sledge. Rebecca married Thomas Ivey.

3.       Martha Sledge. Martha married Peter Hay.

4.    John Sledge; b. c. 1700; d. 1750.

___________________

S14.      John Sledge, Sr.; b. c. 1700; d. 1750.

John was born in Surry County. Virginia. He married Rebecca Ivey. John signed his will on December 18, 1750. The will was probated in Surry County, Virginia.

Their children:

1.    Charles Sledge; b. 1723; d. 1770.

      Charles was born in Surry County, Virginia and died in Sussex County, Virginia. Charles   married Elizabeth Simmons. Elizaheth died in 1811. They had 8 children.

2.    John Sledge, Jr.; b. c. 1730; d. 1798.

3.    Daniel Sledge; b. c. 1731; d. 1793.

4.    Amos Sledge; h. c. 1732; d. 1780.

      Amos was born in Surry County, Virginia. He married Sarah Hamlin. They had 7 children. After   the death of Sarah, Amos married Ann Clary. They had 3 children.

5.    Ann Sledge. Ann married Travis Griffin.

6.    Rebecca Sledge.

7.    Sarah Sledge. Sarah married Amos Martin.

___________________

S142     John Sledge, Jr.: b. c. 1730; d. 1798.

John was born in Surry County, Virginia. John married Amy Chappell about 1760 in Sussex County, Virginia. Amy was born in Sussex County, Virginia about 1742. She was the daughter of Elizabeth Briggs (1721-1762) and James Chappell, Jr. (1721-1778) of Sussex County. James was a Patriot of the American Revolution. After living in Virginia and in Halifax County, North Carolina, John and Amy, about 1790, moved their family to the Shoulderbone Creek area in the western part of Hancock County, Georgia. Apparently, Amy died prior to April of 1798. John signed his will on April 14, 1798. The will was probated on October 11, 1798 in Hancock County, Georgia.

Their children:

1.   Nathaniel Sledge; b. February 22, 1761; d. 1802.

Nathaniel was born in Virginia. He was a soldier in the American Revo­lution. Nathaniel married his cousin, Elizabeth Chappell. Elizabeth was the daughter of John and Nancy Chappell. Elizabeth died prior to 1808. Nathaniel and Elizabeth lived in the Shoulderbone Creek area of Hancock County, Georgia.

Their children included:

a.   Chappell Sledge.

      Chappell married Jane Jeter Harris in Hancock County, Georgia. Jane was born on December 30, 1788 in Hancock County. Jane's parents were Clara Jeter (1766-1850) and Absalom Harris (1752­1824). For an account of Jane's family, see d124/222 on page 121 of the text. Chappell and Jane lived near Shoulderbone Creek in the western area of Hancock County, Georgia.

b.   Amy Sledge. Amy was born in Halifax County, North Carolina. She married Jethro Jackson in Georgia.

2.   Jeany Sledge; b. April 23, 1763.

3.   Hartwell Sledge; b. January 8, 1765.

      Hartwell was born in Virginia. He married Julia

4.   Mins Sledge; b. January 7, 1768; d. September 16, 1848.

      Mins was born in Surry County, Virginia and died in Troup County, Georgia. Mins married Rissilla Hamlet in 1791 in Halifax County, North Carolina. She was the daughter of Nancy Whitfield and James Hamlet of Halifax County. Rissilla was born about 1771 and died on September 14, 1829 in Troup County, Georgia.

5.    Lucy Sledge; b. February 26, 1770.

6.       John Sledge, III; b. c. 1774; d. 1806.

      John was born in Halifax County, North Carolina. He died in Hancock County, Georgia. John married Sarah  

7.       Rebecca Priscilla Sledge; b. May 26, 1776; d. September 22, 1825.

8.       Shirley Sledge, Sr.; b. March 10, 1777; d. November 14, 1868. Shirley was born in Halifax County, North Carolina. He moved with his parents to Hancock County, Georgia. Shirley married Molsey Montgomery Hill in 1799. Molsey, the daughter of Rebecca Adams and Robert Hill, was born on August 15, 1784 in South Carolina. Shirley and Molsey moved to Troup County, Georgia. Their home there was called "Sledge Garden". Molsey died on March 18, 1858. They had 12 children.

9.       Jane Sledge; b. 1778. Jane married Benjamin Jackson.

A.  Amy Whitfield Sledge; b. August 3, 1783; d. April 21, 1848.

Amy was born in Halifax County, North Carolina. She married Cornelius Clark in 1798 in Hancock County, Georgia. Cornelius, the son of Rachel and Robert Clark, was born on October 8, 1763 in Halifax County, North Carolina. Amy and Cornelius moved their family to the Alabama Terri­tory near Huntsville. Cornelius died at Huntsville in October, 1828. Amy moved westward with her family to Hardeman County, Tennessee, where she died.

Their children:

a.       Lemuel Clark; b. October 18, 1799.

b.       Bethina Clark; b. March 14, 1802.

c.       Dread Clark; b. February 9, 1804.

d.       John Clark; b. March 23, 1806.

e.       Martha Clark; b. November 23, 1807.

f.        Rebecca Clark; b. October 26, 1809.

g.       Jane Clark; b. January 16, 1812.

h.       Amy W. Clark; b. July 1, 1815.

i.         Sophronia Gardner Clark; b. August 14, 1817. Sophronia married John Minter Warren in 1833.

j.         Marion Clark; b. June 12, 1820.

k.       Andrew Clark; b. January 16, 1824.

B.   Collin Sledge; b. 1786; d. 1826.

      Collin was born in Halifax County, North Carolina. He died in Twiggs
County, Georgia. Collin married Zelpha Harris on December 13, 1808 in Hancock County, Georgia. Zelpha (1794-after 1863) was the daughter of Nancy Long and Nelson Harris (d125/71). Zelpha and Collin's daughter, Nancy Long Sledge, married Amos Harris. Amos was, probably, a descen­dant of Edward Harris (d121). For an account of this family, see d125/712.

C. Martha Sledge. Martha married James Adams, Jr.

________________________

S142 Rebecca Priscilla Sledge; b. May 26, 1776; d. September 22, 1825.

7

Rebecca was born in Halifax County, North Carolina. Rebecca married John South­all. John died in April of 1800.

      Their son:

1.       Holman Southall; b. October 12, 1798 in North Carolina.

      Holman lived in Hancock County, Georgia and moved with his family to Madison County, Alabama about 1817. He died in Hardeman County, Tennessee.

      Rebecca married Robert Clarke on October 30, 1800 in Hancock County, Georgia. Robert, the son of Robert and Rachel Clarke of Edgecoabe County, North Carolina, was born in Halifax County, North Carolina on February 23, 1757. Robert was a soldier in the American Revolution. Robert and Rebecca moved their family to an area north of Huntsville and in Madison County, Alabama about 1817. Robert died on November 20, 1837. They are buried in Clarke Cemetery, next to Jenkins Place, at Whites Crossroads in Madison County. The account of Robert's death was published in the Huntsville Democrat.

Their children;

2.       Benjamin Franklin Clarke; b. 1801.

      Benjamin married Polly Mitchell on June 10, 1824.

3.       Mariah H. Clarke; b. May 27, 1803; d. August 8, 1897.

      Mariah was born in Hancock County, Georgia. Mariah married Guilford Harris on December 21, 1819 in Madison County, Alabama. Guilford, the son of Nancy Long and Nelson Harris, was born on September 7, 1793 in Warren County, North Carolina. He died at Jonesboro, Georgia on Febru­ary 15, 1864. Mariah and Guilford are buried in the Harris Family Cemetery on Flint River Road near Jonesboro. The account of this family is given at dl25/711.

4.       Rebecca Elizabeth Clarke; b. March 17, 1805; d. December 31, 1884. Rebecca was born in Hancock County, Georgia. Rebecca married Frederick Nance on December 20, 1821.

5.       Sally H. Clarke; b. 1807. Sally married John C. Ward on April 10, 1829.

6.       Emma Whitfield Clarke; b. 1809. Emma married Sylvester Smith Sledge on June 14, 1832.

7.       Robert L. Clarke; b. 1811. Robert married Martha Malone on February 2, 1832.

8.       Silas H. Clarke; b. 1814.

      Silas married Sarah B. ___________ .(?)

9.       Simeon S. Clarke; b. 1816.

      Simeon married Sarah B. _________ .(?)

________________

S143 Daniel Sledge; b. 1731; d. January 10, 1793.

Daniel was born in Surry County, Virginia. Daniel was a soldier, with the rank of Captain, in the American Revolution. Daniel married Winifred House. They made their home in the Littleton area of Warren County, North Carolina. Winifred was born about 1733 in Virginia. She died on February 17, 1771. Daniel and Winifred died in Warren County.

Their children:

1.       James Sledge; b. 1752; d. 1834.

2.       Arthur Archibald Sledge; b. 1754; d. 1803.

      Arthur married Mary Clary.

3.   Isham Sledge; b. 1759; d. 1793. Isham married Tabitha Myrick.

4.       Joel N. Sledge; b. 1763; d. 1837.

      Joel married Priscilla Park.

5.       Delilah Sledge; b. 1766.

      Delilah married Robert Waller in 1783.

6.       Winifred Sledge; b. 1767.

      Winifred married Larkin Dawson.

7.       Sherwood Sledge; b. 1769. Sherwood married Susanna Myrick.

8.       Lucretia Sledge; b. 1776.
Lucretia married Abraham Clanton.

_______________

S143 James Sledge; b. 1752; d. 1834.

1

James was born in Brunswick County, Virginia. James married Rebecca Person on November 22, 1777 in Bute County, North Carolina. Rebecca, the daughter of Samuel and Sara Person, was born on April 17, 1760 in Isle of Wight County,

Virginia. Samuel Person was the son of Mary Turner and Francis Person of Isle of Wight County, Virginia.

Their children included:

1.   Turner Sledge; b. 1778; d. 1818.

      Turner was born in Bute (now Warren) County, North Carolina. Turner married Tabitha Davis, the daughter of Elizabeth Powell and Giles Davis.

      Their children:

a.   William Powell Sledge; b. 1809.

      William married Martha Rosser.

      Their daughter:

I.    Mary Christian Sledge.

                        Mary married Miles Bobbitt, II.

b.               Herbert Sledge; b. 1811. Herbert married Elizabeth Bobbitt.

c.               Alfred A. Sledge; b. 1812; d. 1905.

d.               Catherine Sledge; b. 1816.

e.               Mary T. Sledge; b. 1819; d. 1900.

__________________

S143 Alfred A. Sledge; b. 1812; d. 1905.

113

Alfred was born in Warren County, North Carolina. Alfred married Mary Burgess on December 18, 1845 in Warren County, North Carolina. Mary was the daughter of Mariah Burrows and James Burgess. They moved to Franklin County, North Carolina and lived near Cypress Creek.

      Their children:

      1.   Tabitha Ann Sledge; b. 1851.

      Ann married Wesley Jones Harris on April 2, 1876. Wesley was the son of Elizabeth Lancaster and Drury Axum Harris (d125/579).

      Their children:

a.       Sallie Harris. Sallie married W. Grady Averett.

b.               Ernest Linwood Harris; b. June 26, 1878; d. February 6, 1960. Ernest married Mary Miles (Mamie) Babbitt on January 3, 1907. Mamie was born on May 15, 1885 and died on March 21, 1951. She was the daughter of Mary Christian Sledge and Miles Bab­bitt, II (See S143/111, above).

      Their son:

                  I.    James Carlos Harris; b. August 30. 1909; d. December 5, 1991.

                        James married Frances Hall Reams on April 6, 1946 (d125/5783/411 and d125/5791/21).

      2.   Moriah Elizabeth Sledge; b. 1854.

            Elizabeth married William Ruffin Harris, the son of Mary T. Sledge and Thomas Egerton Harris (d125/527).

      3.   Mary Jane Sledge; b. 1857; d. 1909.

            Mary Jane married John Wesley Harris on December 23, 1875. The account of this family is found at d125/5276.

      4.   Martha Jane (Pat) Sledge; b. 1859.

            Pat married Robert Strickland.

            Their children:

a.       Nina Strickland. Nina married Andrew Adams.

b.       Rilla Strickland. Rilla married R. Woods.

c.       Arthur Strickland. Arthur married Clara Benton.

d.       Rosa Strickland. Rosa married _____________ Edwards.

      5.   Susan Alice Sledge; b. 1861; d. 1956.

            Alice married Thomas Gay.

            Their children:

a.    Wilson Gay. Wilson married Flossie Sykes.

b.       Minnie Gay. Minnie married Paul Cone.

c.    Berttie Gay. Berttie married "Buck" Delbridge.

      6.   Lavenia Ida Sledge; b. 1863.

            Ida married Baldy Edward Debnan on October 23, 1885.

Their children:

a.       Mallie Debnan. Nellie married Lela Westheraby.

b.       Lela Debnan. Lela married Paul Cooper.

c.       Ruthie Debnan. Ruthie married Bernard Perkinson.

      7.   John Turner Sledge; b. 1865.

            John married Sally Strickland.

            Their children:

a.       George Sledge.

b.       Herbert W. Sledge.

c.   Paul Alfred Sledge.

d.   Silas Sledge.

e.       Bunny Sledge.

f.        Turner Sledge.

g.   Robert Sledge.

h.       Cyrus Sledge.

i.         Ida Sledge. Ida married____________ Hathaway.

j.         Claudia Sledge.

      8.   Turner Sledge.

_________________

S143 Mary T. Sledge; b. 1819; d. 1900.

115

Mary married Thomas Egerton Harris on January 13, 1839 in Warren County, North Carolina. The account of this family is found at d125/527.

________________

S143 Joel N. Sledge; b. 1763; d. 1837.

4

Joel was born in Brunswick County, Virginia. He moved with his family to the Littleton community of what is now Warren County, North Carolina. Joel married Priscilla Park.

      Their son:

      1.   Norfleet Ruffin Sledge; b. 1812; d. 1881.

      Norfleet was born in Franklin County, North Carolina and died at Como, Mississippi. Norfleet married Catherine Jones, the daughter of Fanning Jones of Shelbyville, Tennessee.

      Their children:

      a.   Sally Sledge.

            Sally married John P. Wallace.

b.   Kate Sledge.

      Kate married Willis Hunter.

c.   Adelaide Sledge.

      Adelaide married John L. Cocke.

d.   Lee Sledge. Lee did not marry.

e.   Oliver Sledge.

            Oliver married (1) Dora E. Jones and (2) Mattie L. Brahan.

            Their daughter:

            I.    Catherine Sledge.

                  Catherine married Lyon Brandon.

f.   Norfleet R. Sledge, Jr.

      Norfleet married (1) Catherine Elizabeth Jones and (2) Luci Meriwether.

g.   William David Sledge; b. 1837; d. 1922.

____________________

S143 William David Sledge; b. 1837; d. 1922.

417

William was born in Tennessee and died in Mississippi. The town of Sledge Mississippi was named for him. William married Mary Thomas Brown in 1857.

Their children:

      1.   Joshua Thomas Sledge; b. 1859; d. 1919.

      2.   Ruffin F. Sledge; b. 1865; d. 1940.

            Ruffin married Janie Tait.

            Their children:

a.       Jo Brown Sledge; b. 1892; d. 1960.

b.       Minor T. Sledge; b. 1893; d. 1946. Minor married Archie Y. Davis.

      Their children:

                  I.    Alice Sledge Davis; b. 1915.

                  II.   Archie Y. Davis, Jr.; b. 1917.

                  III. Ruffin Sledge Davis; b. 1920. Ruffin married Catherine Covington.

IV. Prudence M. Davis; b. 1925.

      3.   Joseph B. Sledge; b. 1867; d. 1940.

      4.   Katie L. Sledge; b. 1868; d. 1891.

      5.   Sarah W. Sledge; b. 1876; d. 1938.

After the death of Mary, William married Bessie Cruse.

 

__________________

S143 Joshua Thomas Sledge; b. 1859; d. 1919. 4171

Thomas married Evelyn Eugenia Garth in 1879.

Their children:

      1.   Adelaide Eugenia Sledge; b. 1880; d. 1903.

Adelaide married William Brockman Bankhead, the son of Tallulah Brock­man and John Hollis Bankhead of Alabama. John Hollis Bankhead (1842­1920) served 20 years in the United States House of Representatives and 14 years in the United States Senate. William B. Bankhead was born at Moscow, Alabama in 1874. He died in 1940. William Bankhead graduated from the University of Alabama and earned his law degree at Georgetown University. William Bankhead served in the United States House of Rep­resentatives from 1917 until he died, serving as Speaker of the House from 1936 to 1940. William's brother, John Hollis Bankhead (1872­1946), served 16 years in the United States Senate from Alabama. Ade­laide and William Bankhead made their home at Jasper, Walker County, Alabama. They are buried there.

Their daughters:

a.            Tallulah Bankhead; b. December 12, 1903; d. 1968.

      Tallulah was born in Huntsville, Alabama. Tallulah began her long career as an actress on       stage and screen in London in 1918.

b.            Evelyne E. Bankhead.

      2.   William David Sledge; b. 1882; d. 1883.

      3.   Clara Mae Sledge; b. 1891; d. 1966.

            Clara married (1) Joe Craig and (2) Bedford F. Floyd.

NOTE: Information for the above composite account - TIES BETWEEN THE HARRIS, SLEDGE 'AND CLARKE (CLARK) FAMILIES - came from a number of sources, including:

1.   Sledge family charts by Ruffin Sledge Davis of Vicksburg, Mississippi.

2.   Genealogical and Historical Register of Troup County, Georgia, Volume III of the series; by Forrest    Clark Johnson, III of LaGrange, Georgia.

3.   Courthouse records of Surry County, Virginia; Bute, Halifax and Warren Counties, North Carolina;     Hancock County, Georgia and Madison County, Alabama.

4. Research of Pat Vincent of Bolivar, Tennessee.

5.   Research of Luther Pryor Harris of Seminole, Florida.

6.   Research of the writer, Robert E. Harris.

7.   The World Book Encyclopedia; 50th Edition, 1966 and 1969 Yearbook.

8.   Research of Mary Elizabeth Taylor of Norlina, North Carolina.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

 

SOME TIES BETWEEN THE HARRIS, GREEN, LONG, DUKE, TOMLIN AND TURNER FAMILIES.

 

 

A portion of the information contained in this discussion was taken from a publication by Evelyn Duke Brandenberger entitled THE DUKE FAMILY.

Richard Tomline, Esquire, an Englishman, was a subscriber of money to the Virginia Company of London in 1610-11.

Martha Tomlin, a widow, owned land in the Virginia Colony prior to 1625. She had, at least, two eons, Matthew and John Tomlin. Land records in the Colony Show that Matthew Tomlin had several transactions with land he owned. He owned land, in 1637, in the vicinity of Blackwater River which, today, forms the line between Isle of Wight and Southampton Counties in Virginia.

Matthew Tomlin, in his will, dated March 7, 1684, mentioned several people including a son, Matthew Tomlin; a grandson, Matthew Tomlin; a daughter and granddaughter named Mary Turner; his son-in-law, John Turner and others.

Mary Tomlin, daughter of Matthew Tomlin, married John Turner. John Turner signed his will on March 25, 1705. It was probated in 1705.

The children of Mary and John Turner:

A.   Mary Turner.

      Mary married Edward Harris (1663-1734) (d121).

B.   John Turner; d. 1743.

C.   James Turner; d. 1743.

D.   Thomas Turner.

E.   Simon Turner; d. 1762.

F.    Joseph Turner

            Joseph married Burchet Lundy, the daughter of Elizabeth Burchet and James Lundy. (Burchet,                 later, married Edward Green).

            Their children:

1.   Elizabeth Turner; married Arthor Jordan.

2.   Ann Turner; married Joseph Green.

      Joseph was the son of Edward Green and ________________

      Edward Green, later, married Burchet Lundy Turner, a widow.

3.   Sarah Turner; married Thomas Green.

4.   Mary Turner; married West Harris (August 4, 1715-May 14, 1795) (d121/7).

      We return now to the aforementioned Ann Turner who married Joseph Green. Joseph Green was the son of Edward Green and

      The children of Joseph and Ann Green:

A.   Josiah Green.

      Josiah married Mary Williford on May 10, 1773 in Bute (later Warren) County, North Carolina.

B.   William Green; d. 1806 in Wilkes County, Georgia. He was in Wilkes County on March 29, 1791.

C.   Charlotte Green.

      Charlotte married John Duke, Jr. John was the grandson of William Duke, Sr.
      John was the son of John Duke, Sr. who died in 1755 in Granville County,

North Carolina. John Duke, Sr. married Mary Myrick, the daughter of Francis Myrick. Their sons were Matthew Duke and John Duke, Jr.

Charlotte Green and John Duke, Jr. had 10 children, including Josiah Green Duke and Charlotte Green Duke, the youngest.

After the death of Charlotte, John married Martha "Patsy" Emmerson about 1785/1788.
They moved their family to the Nashborough (Nashville), Tennessee area after 1793.

D. Sarah Green. "Sally" married Drury Long on July 19, 1773 in Bute (now Warren) County, North Carolina. Drury had a brother, John Long. Sally and Drury had two, or perhaps, three children, including Nancy and Betsy. Nancy was the oldest. She was born in 1774. Nancy married Nelson Harris (d125/71) on November 30, 1792 in Warren County, North Carolina. Nancy and Nelson had eight children. Nancy and Nelson died in Hancock County, Georgia. They were ancestors of the writer.

 
 

_____________________________________________________________________________________

  

 

APPENDIX II
WILLS

 

Most individuals of the human race live their spans of life upon the earth and leave little, if any, evidence to show that they as specific individuals ever ex­isted. Wills recorded in county and parish courthouses are among the very few documents left by individuals to attest to their existence. These wills may appear to say to the living: I lived here; my spouse and children lived here; here are their names. An old will is a treasure trove of information to those who seek to know the roots from which they came. Our Harris family is very fortunate to have a signifi­cant number of these records from which to obtain information. This writer has re­lied heavily upon these wills as controlling evidence of family lineage. As shown herein, these wills exist, in almost unbroken line, from persons who were personally known by people living today, back in time, to before the time the King James Bible was first published. The wills mentioned here and the copies of the wills shown here are but a few of those that were used in this work. Also, many others are recorded concerning the people who are listed in this book.

OUR ENGLISH ANCESTORS

The following are a few of the wills of our English ancestors which are in the public records of England:

1.       William Harris, born c. 1500; died September 21, 1555.

He was the high sheriff of Essex County and, also, the grandfather of Sir William Harris of Creeksea.

2.       Sir William Harris of Creeksea, Essex County; bore c. 1550; died November 14, 1616.

3.       William Harris; born 1585; died 1622. He was the son of Sir William Harris of Creeksea.

4.       Thomas Harris; born 1586; died 1617. He was the son of Sir William Harris of Creeksea.

5.       Sir William Harris of Shenfield. He was the first cousin of Sir William Harris of Creeksea.

Copies and/or translations of these wills are available in some public libraries in this country. The publication, HARRIS COLLECTION - 1979, by Helen Harris Ott, con­tains copies or translations of some of these and other English and American wills. These wills are written in English. Some are very old and difficult to read because of writing styles, meanings and usages of words. As stated above, some are older than the King James Version of the Bible. Some of the older American wills are also difficult to read for the same reasons.

AMERICAN WILLS

Our immigrant ancestor, John Harris, born 1588, died c. 1638, the son of Sir William Harris of Creeksea, most likely, left a will, as was the custom of his family. Unfortunately, the courthouse records of Charles City County, Virginia — of his time period — were destroyed by fire.

The first set of copies of wills included here are eight wills of eight generations of lineage, in unbroken line, extending from Thomas Harris, b. c. 1614; died 1672 (d1), the son of our immigrant ancestor, to Thomas Guilford Harris, born February 25, 1858; died January 6, 1935 (d125/7115/1), the grandfather of the writer. Many people, living today, including the writer, personally knew the last person listed. These eight wills are listed below in the index of wills as numbers 1 through 8.

The next set of wills, listed in the index as numbers 9 and 10, respectively, are those of the father and maternal grandfather of Nancy Long, the wife of Nelson Harris (d12571). These are Drury Long and Joseph Green of Bute, now Warren, County, North Carolina.

The next will, index number 11, is that of John Harris (d11), grandson of our immigrant ancestors, John and Dorothy Calcott Harris, son of Thomas Harris (dl), and brother of Thomas Harris (d12), whose will is listed as number 2.

The next will, index number 12, is that of Edward Harris (d121), the oldest child of Ann Martin and Thomas Harris (d12), and brother of Robert Harris (dl25), George Harris (d126), and Martin Harris (d127), whose wills are also included herein.

The next two wills, numbers 13 and 14, are those of George Harris and Martin Harris, respectively, who were the sons of Ann Martin and Thomas Harris (d12), and they were also the brothers of Edward Harris and Robert Harris, whose wills are listed under numbers 12 and 3, respectively.

The next will, index number 15, is that of Thomas Harris (d124/1), the son of Thomas (d124) and the grandson of Ann Martin and Thomas Harris (d12).

The next will, index number 16, is that of Edward Harris (d121/2), the second child of Edward Harris (d121), whose will is listed as number 12.

The next will, index number 17, is that of Jordan Harris (d121/11), the oldest child of Daniel Harris (d121/1), who died intestate in Bute (now Warren) County, North Carolina. Jordan was also the grandson of Edward Harris (d121), whose will is number 12.

 

INDEX OF WILLS

 
WILL NUMBER ANCESTOR NUMBER NAME OF ANCESTOR, TESTATOR COUNTY AND STATE WHERE WILL IS RECORDED COUNTY SEAT YEAR WILL WAS RECORDED
1 dl Thomas Harris Isle of Wight, Virginia Isle of Wight 1672
1A. Translated copy of Will number 1. - View Thomas Harris will & Postem Notes, with corrected info     
2 d12 Thomas Harris Isle of Wight, Virginia Isle of Wight 1688
3 d125  Robert Harris Isle of Wight, Virginia 'Isle of Wight 1740
4 d125  71 Matthew Harris Greene, Georgia Greensboro 1813
5 d125  71 Nelson Harris Hancock, Georgia Sparta 1820
5A. A typed copy of Will No. 5.    
6 d125  711 Guilford Harris Clayton, Georgia Jonesboro 1864
7 d125  7115 Silas Alston Harris Hall, Georgia Gainesville 1893
8 d125  7115  1 Thomas Guilford Harris DeKalb, Alabama Fort Payne 1935
9 d125  71 (ref) Drury Long Bute (now Warren) Warrington 1770
10 d125  71 (ref) Joseph Green Bute (now Warren) Warrington 1775
11 d11 d11n Harris Isle of Wight, Virginia Isle of Wight 1713
12 d121 Edward Harris Isle of Wight, Virginia Isle of Wight 1734
13 d126 George Harris Isle of Wight, Virginia Isle of Wight 1720
14 d127 Martin Harris Isle of Wight, Virginia Isle of Wight 1750
15 d124  1 Thomas Harris Isle of Wight, Virginia Isle of 1730
16 d121  2 Edward Harris Isle of Wight, Virginia Isle of 1740
17 d121  11 Jordan Harris Greene, Georgia Greensboro 1820
 
 
 

1A.       Translation of Will No. 1. Thomas Harris, d1.

This is a translation of the will of Thomas Harris(d1) by the writer, Robert E. Harris. This translation is from the will on record in Isle of Wight County, Virginia, a copy of which was obtained by the writer while visiting in the Isle of Wight courthouse. This translation was compared with translations of this document made by others.

In the Name of God Amen, the one and thirtieth day of March in this year of our Lord God 1672 I Thomas Harris being of whole mind And in good and perfect remembrance laud and praises be unto Almighty God, make and ordain this my last will in manner and form following, That is to say first I commend my soule unto Almighty God, my maker and redeemer and my body to the earth to be decently buried, And as for my worldly estate, that God hath blest me ---, I dispose of as followeth /

Imprimis for the land which I now live upon, it is my will and desire that the same shalle equallie divided between my two sonnes, John and Thomas Harris, And both of them to live upon it /

Item, for my land which I have of the Indian towns, which is in quantitie two hundred and seventy Acres which doth properly belong to me, I give and bequeath this said land to my sonne Thomas and 'his heirs forever /

Item, for my land lying in Corotoman in the County of Lancaster, being seven hundred Acres, I bequeath unto my eldest sonne, John Harris and to his heirs forever.

Item It is my will that if either of my sonnes should happen to Aye and have not issue then the survivinge sonne to enjoy all my lands, herein mentioned And --- to belonge to him and his heirs forever, but if my sonne John should happen to marry and have children then what lands I have herein this my will, bequeathed unto him shall of right, belong to him and his heirs lawfully begotten/

Item It is my will that my loving wife, Alis Harris, shall live on the plantation I am now seated on during her natural life, And not to be any waith disturbed or molested by my sonnes as aforesaid, and to have her due part of all other my lands herein bequeathed during her life

Item It is my will that an Iron gray mare and a brown bay dark ghillie about the age of two years old in June --- shalle both they and all their increase, for a joint ---, for the use and benefit, of my children,

Item I give and bequeath unto Mary Harris my daughter if she lives to be married, to be delivered her on her wedding day one silver tankard, a feather bed and furniture, one brass kettle of sixteen gallions, three pewter dishes three plates, sixe spoons, a cow and calfs, and two heiffers /

Item I will and ordain my loving wife, Alis Harris, to be whole and sole executrix of this my last will and testament and have all the rest of my estate which I am now possessed and all her absolute --- trusting in her care and goodness for the allowings of the rest of my children, not mentioned in this my will, --- share and proportion of my estate /

Item I request and desire my loving friends Major Nicholas Hill and John Jennings to be overseers --- for this my last will and testament, performed, revoking all other wills whatsoever formerlie by me made, to the confirmation of --- I hereunto sett my hand and seale, this day and year above written / Thomas Harris/---

Signed sealed and delivered in presence of

Francis Hobbs

Lewis Rogers

This will is proved by the oaths of Captain Francis Hobbs and Lewis Rogers in open court held for Isle of Wight County this tenth day of June 1672 and then recorded  - John Jennings -

 

2. Will of Thomas Harris, d12, 1688, Isle of Wight County, Virginia.

 

IMAGE of P. 968

 
 
 

3. Will of Robert Harris, d125, 1740, Isle of Wight County, Virginia.

 
 
 

4. Will of Matthew Harris, d125\7, 1813, Isle of Greene County, Georgia.

 
 
 

5. Will of Nelson Harris, d125\71, 1820, Isle of Hancock County, Georgia.

 
 
 
 
 

5A.      Typed copy of Will of Nelson Harris, d125\71

 

To assist in reading the will of Nelson Harris (d125/71), the following verbatim typed copy is provided.

In the name of God Amen. I Nelson Harris of the County of Hancock and State of Georgia being sick and in a low state of health but of perfect sound mind & memory, and calling to mind the mortality of the body and knowing that it is thus appointed for all men to die do make constitute and ordain this to be my last will and testament revoking all other wills heretofore made by me. In the first place I recommend my soul into the hands of him that first gave it birth and my body to the earth from whence it came to be buried in a decent Christian like manner at the discretion of my Executors ;hereafter to be named and as touching such worldly property as it bath pleased God to help me with or that I may die possessed of I give and bequeath it in the following manner. First of all I wish all my just debts to be paid which are but few and them not of much magnitude.

Item My will and desire is that all my property both real and personal be kept together and worked on my plantation to the best advantage for the use of my dear beloved wife and children and the family all remain together and be maintained out of the proceeds of the crops that may be raised on my plantation, or until they shall arrive at lawful age or marry at which time it is my will and desire that the legatee entitled should have his or her equal share of all my property both real and personal of every description all of which property I give and bequeath unto him or her or to them 'and their lawful issue of body only; and all the balance to remain together until the next child shall arrive at lawful age to receive his part or money there for him or her to receive his or her part in like manner and so on until they shall all receive their equal shares having due regard to my dear beloved wife having an equal share with the children and always to remain on the plantation as long as she lives and at her death all of her part to be equally divided among all my legatees. It is my desire that my Executors have the liberty to sell any part of my estate both real or Personal provided it should be for the advantage of my dear beloved wife or children, provided the money be laid out in more valuable property or put out at an interest for the use of my dear wife & children. And it is my will and desire that my remaining children be educated and maintained while they live together as I have heretofore said and that my children have their proportion of the Negroes as follows, that is the old child to have the old Negroes nearest his age so that the youngest children may have the youngest Negroes agreeable to their age. And I do further most strictly and solemnly enjoin it on my Executors hereafter to be named to always keep whatever surplus monies that may be raised out of my crops out at an interest for those legatees which may be entitled to it and it is further my will and desire that whenever any legatee is entitled to his or her Part that he have the liberty to receive the same in money when it may be convenient for the estate to pay it, if not that he or she shall receive the proportion in some personal and perishable property.

 

It is my will and desire that my three sons be my Executors to this my last will and testament Gilford Harris, Seaborn Harris and Drury Harris.

In witness I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 4th of April 1820. Nelson Harris         Seal.

Signed in the presence of

Mins Sledge

Wm C. Barkesdale

Wm Hudson

Georgia Hancock County         Inferior Court sitting for Ordinary purposes 3rd

                   July 1820.

The last will and testament of Nelson Harris was duly provenopen court by the oaths of Mins Sledge and William C. Barkesdale two of the subscribing witnesses thereto ( who also testify that they saw Wm Hudson subscribe the same as a witness in presence of the testator). Whereupon it is ordered that said will be admitted to record and that letters testamentary be granted to Seaborn Harris one of the nominated Executors in said will - to whom after being duly qualified letters were granted accordingly.

Georgia, Hancock County.

Inferior Court sitting for Ordinary purposes 5th February 1821. Gilford Harris one of the nominated Executors of Nelson Harris dec came into Court and was duly qualified and his name ordered to be inserted in the letters testamentary granted heretofore to Seaborn Harris.

(The following notes are from the records of this estate.) REH. Inventory & appraisement of the estate of Nelson Harris listed in records and accomplished by Mins Sledge, Fredrick G. Thomas, Wm C. Barkesdale and James Huff. Feb. 7, 1821. Attested by W.H. Sledge J.P.

Over several years the children and widow of Nelson Harris received and signed for their shares of this estate, as follows:

Zelpha Harris Sledge' share was received by her husband, Collin Sledge on Feb. 10, 1821.

Seaborn Harris received his share on Feb. 15, 1821.

Guilford Harris received his share on Jan. 22, 1825.

Drury Harris received his share on January 22, 1825.

Hixsey Harris Akins' share was received by her husband, John Akins on January 22, 1825.

Alston Green Harris received his share on January 12, 1827.

Elizabeth Thomas Harris, Nelson's widow, received her share of the estate on April 7, 1829.

James Harris received his share on January 4,1830.

Matthew P. Harris received his share in 1831.

Merimoth Harris received his share in 1834.

Clara Harris Jackson received her share in 1836.

Nancy Harris Smith received her share in 1839.

Jane Harris Prator received her share on March 14, 1847. This payment ended the estate of Nelson Harris.

 

6.   Will of Guilford Harris, d125\711, 1864, Clayton County, Georgia.

Pages 979 - 980 - 981 - 982 - 983 - 984

 
 

8.   Will of Thomas Guilford Harris, d125\7115\1, 1835, Dekalb County, Alabama.

 

Thos. G. Harris, of DeKalb County Alabama, being of sound mind and memory do make publish and declare this to be my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills made by me,

First. It is my will that all my just debts be paid as soon after my death as can consistently be done.

Second. I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Francis L. Harris a11 my property, real and personal and of every description for her use during her life and widowhood. At her death all of my said property not used by her and left on hand shall be divid­ed between my children, Pallie McPherson, Cora Majors , Silas Harris, Dora Willis, Edward Harris, Augustus Harris, Joe Harris end Mary Baxter equally, share and share alike after charging each one with advances made to the, during my life;

Third. In the event my said wife should marry again, then all of my said property on hand at said marriage shall be equally divided between my sold wife and my said chil­dren named in paragraph second hereof equally, share and share alike after charging each child with advances as provided in said paragraph second hereof. My wife taking a child's part without being charged with advances.

Fourth. In the event of the death of any of my said children named in said paragraph second of this will, then upon the death or marriage of my said wife, then if such deceased ones have children such deceased ones share shall go to their said children.

In the event one or more of my said children named in said second paragraph hereof, should die without children before the division of my property herein provided for then such deceased ones interest shall descend and go to my lawful heirs at the time of such division

Fifth. On the distribution of my property as herein provided for each child of mine, or its representatives if dead, shall be charged with all advantages made to such child by my wife or me during our lives, and then distribution made accordingly herein before fixed.

Sixth. During the widowhood of my said wife she shall have full power and control over all my property. She shall have the right to sell and made deeds of conveyance to it at private or public sale, just as I could do if I wore living,  and during said widowhood she shall have the right to rent or loan any of my acid property and to have and use the rents, interests and incomes thereof and she shall not be required to account therefore to any court, or person, nor to procure any order to rent, sell, loan or use, any of said property, rents, interests or incomes. In case of the sale by my said wife of any real estate of mine it is my will that she shall loan or reinvest the proceeds of such sale not necessary for her own support and comfort, as she may deem best.

And my said wile shall not be restrained or disturbed in her use, management, and con­trol of my acid property as given her herein except in case of manifest waste sod sub­stantial injury to the other legatees hereunder.

Seventh. I nominate and appoint my acid wife Francis L. Harrier executrix of this my last will and testament, and I hereby relieve her from making any bond for the faith­ful performances of her duties as said administratrix, and from accounting to any court for her actions hereunder, except as may be necessary, under other provisions of this will.

Eighth. In case of the marriage of my said wife again then she shall wind up my said estate, within as short a time as reasonable, make distribution there of as hereinbefore provided and her right as executrix shall then cease.

Signed and sealed by me on this the 24 day of December 1917.

Thos. G. Harris

Signed in the presence of the following who also signed in the presence of the testator end each other.    W. W. Haralson

D. L. Campbell.

Codicil to the foregoing will‑

On the death of both my wife and me it is my will that my son Augustus C. Harris and my daughter Pallie McPherson shall become the executors of my will, without bond, and they shall administer and wind up my estate under the provisions of my foregoing will-

Signed by me this the 25 day of September 1930.

Witnesses    W. W.  Haralson                T. G. Harris

I. W. Presley

Flied January 11, 1935.                      G. L. Malone, Justice of Probate

STATE ALABAMA, DEKALB COUNTY

 
 

I, J. C. Kellett, Jude of Probate in and for said county and state, hereby certify that the within will of T. G. Harris was duly proved and admitted to probate on Janu­ary 22, 1935, and recorded in Volume D of Wills, page 104, and that t proof thereof has been recorded in 411 Record D., page 105.

This October 26, 3937.                  J. C. Kellett, Jud e •f Probate

THE STATE OF ALABAMA DEKALB COUNTY

January 22nd 1935.

In the Matter of the Estate of T. G. Harris deceased.

Present, Hon. G. L. Malone, Judge of Probate.

Before me, G. L. Malone, Jude of Probate, in and for said County, personally appeared In open court  W. W. Haralson and D. L. Campbell who, having been by me first duly sworn and examined, did depose and say on oath, that he is a subscribing witness to the instrument of writing now shown to him and which purports to be the last will and testament of T. G. Harris, deceased, late an inhabitant of this County, that slid T. G. Harris signed and executed said instrument on the day the same bears date, and declared the sire to be his last will and testament, and that affiant set his signa­ture thereto on the day the same bears date as a subscribing witness to the same in the presence of said T. G. Harris, and that such other witness subscribed his name as a witness in his presence and in the presence of said T. G. Harris. That said T. G. Harris was of a sound mind and disposing memory, and In the opinion of the deponent fully capable of making, his will at the time the same was so made as aforesaid. Affiant further state that the said T. G. Harris was on the day of the said date of said will of the full age of twenty-one years and upwards. I. M. Pressley, witness to the codicil of said will states that the above conditions existed at the time of the execution of the codicil.                             

W. W. Haralson

D. L. Campbell

I. W. Presley

Sworn to and subscribed before me this January 22nd, 1935.

G. L. Malone, Judge of Probate.

 

Piled January 22nd, 1935.                        G. L. Malone, Judge of Probate.

Made January 22nd, 1935.                      G. L. Malone. Judge of Probate

Recorded in Will Record Vol. D., Page 105.  J. C. Kellett, Jude of Probate

 
9. Will of Drury Long, d125\71(Ref), 1770, Bute(nou Warren) County, North Carolina.

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